New outbreaks of ASF in Russia

Two new outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been reported on Friday, 16 August, in the central regions of Russia, Rosselhoznadzor said.

The first one was identified at a private backyard in the Pskov Region. “Investigation of samples from the carcasses of two pigs from a private smallholding in the Pskov region discovered the presence of ASF. The pigs were on farms in the Minosyan area, Usvyaty district, Pskov Region at a smallholding containing 89 pigs,” said the report.

The virus has also been identified in dead pigs from a smallholding in Semenova , Tokarevskiy district, Tambov Region. In total the farm has 116 pigs. Rosselkhoznador has put the standard control measures in place and initiated the culling of the pigs on the farms.

The veterinary authority has also initiated control measures in the Republic of Tatarstan because of concerns that African Swine Fever could spread to the region as well. According to Russian vets the wild boars that are carrying the virus may already have crossed the border of the region, where previously outbreaks of ASF were never reported.